Night At The Museum 2 - Escape From the Smithsonian (DVD)

...to see this sequel last night and I have to say that I was quite impressed. I never expect much from sequels, but this surprised me and I felt still had a quality script and excellent acting.


===What’s it all about?===


Well, whilst you could watch this film as a standalone film, it would be better if you watched the first film or at least got a synopsis, so that you can understand where Larry the main character ...
...in New York as a night guard to pursue growing his successful household gadget business. I don’t think is a plot spoiler to point out that at night the exhibits of the museum come to life and that is what is so special about both films in the first place - any trailer will of course point this out.


Whilst Larry has been busy with expanding his company – the board who look after the museum have been busy trying to update what they ... more

Night at The Museum 2 (2009)

My children and I went to see this sequel last night and I have to say that I was quite impressed. I never expect much from sequels, but this surprised me and I felt still had a quality script and excellent acting.

What’s it all about?

Well, whilst you could watch this film as a standalone film, it would be better if you watched the first film or at least got a synopsis, so that you can understand where Larry the main character is coming from.

Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is a single parent, who always dreamed of being an inventor, finally got his wish and so left his job at The Natural History Museum in New York as a night guard to pursue growing his successful household gadget business. I don’t think is a plot spoiler to point out that at night the exhibits of the museum come to life and that is what is so special about both films in the first place - any trailer will of course point this out.

Whilst Larry has been busy with expanding his company – the board who look after the museum have been busy trying to update what they offer. This means that they now want holographic 3D interactive displays and so the dusty old statues are now destined to become archived at The Smithsonian Museum in Washington. (I had no idea just how big this museum was and it was interesting to find out all about it, as I love history of any kind)

In error, a magical tablet (which brings the exhibits to life at nightfall) owned by the ancient pharoah Ahkmenrah from the first film, is brought with the exhibits by a cheeky mischievous monkey. On arrival at the Washington Smithsonian, chaos breaks out between the exhibits that have been shipped there and those that reside permanently at The Smithsonian, led by Ahkmenrah’s evil brother Kahmunrah.

Will Larry come to the rescue and how will he sort this mess out?

Opinion

This film has a glittering cast, with plenty of comic talent headed by Ben Stiller as Larry. I have to say that I am not Ben Stiller’s biggest fan, but in these films his comic timing is perfect. I particularly enjoyed the scene when he squared up to the security guard at The Smithsonian, in a ‘who is the hardest?’ conversation. This was really funny.

Another facet to the film that I enjoyed was the introduction of new characters such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Al Capone and Ivan the Terrible to name just a few. I think this is one part that might just be a little bit lost on children, unless they have a fantastic education. I think that adults would get more of the in jokes here. I had to keep telling my nine year old why it was funny and just a little bit about the history of these characters. That is a minor criticism but young children will not appreciate this part as much. It of course also has a slightly American slant on history with General Custer and Abraham Lincolm playing key roles.

Octavius of Rome (Steve Coogan) and Jedediah Smith (Owen Wilson) also returned, but I liked the interaction between these two slightly more in the first film.

Robin Williams (Teddy Roosevelt) has a slightly smaller role this time, but was still on good form. Ricky Gervais (Dr McPhee) had a quite small role (must be too big for this sort of thing now!!!) but again, adults would appreciate the David Brent subtle humour more.

The only performance that irritated me was that of Amy Adams who played Amelia Earheart, (she also got on my nerves in Enchanted). I can’t warm to this actress at all and I find her delivery too girly and earnest. However, it still didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the film.

A special mention should also go to the actor Hank Azaria who played three roles, that of Kahmunrah ,The Thinker and Abraham Lincoln. I hadn’t seen him in anything else before, but he played the baddie in a marvellous way with a lisp. He didn’t really come across as evil and scary, but again his comical moments were delivered perfectly.

The writers have a fantastic imagination and it is amusing to see these historical figures being brought to life with all their flaws.

I thought that the special effects were outstanding; in particular the scenes when pictures came to life and characters could jump in and out of them were fantastic. In fact there was a tribute to one of the characters in one of the pictures, as the final credits rolled which was really funny. There were some funny scenes with some cherubs which were also clever.

The soundtrack I think was by Alan Silvestri and it had the big budget orchestra feel, creating tension when required and adding to sentimental moments in just the right amount, without going over the top. The scene where all the archived figures are seen in crates was really reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I really enjoy history and I think for children to watch these films before a visit to a museum would only add to the visit and make it more fun. Visits like this can often be seen as stuffy and boring, perhaps these films might add a bit of magic!

I will give this film 4 out of 5 stars and it was certainly as good as the first film in my opinion. Overall this was great family entertainment and I have to say there was plenty there for adults too!

The film is rated PG and lasts for 105 minutes.
 

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